Singing Styles and Techniques – Leader’s Notes
This is a suggested order and content for a class, workshop or plenary presentation on Singing Styles and Techniques. It will require a piano or keyboard player competent in these different styles to demonstrate and accompany the group singing. Most selections come from The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), with some from The Faith We Sing (2000), and one from Worship & Song (2011). Leaders will need to elaborate on these brief notes to explain or demonstrate the style to singers.
1.Sing a new song – one unknown to your people.
a.728, “Come Sunday”
b.“Until Jesus Comes,” Worship & Song, no. 3050
2.Sing an old song – to connect to your heritage.
a.363, “And Can It Be” (1,4,5)
3.Sing with new accompaniment – change from organ to guitar, or praise band to brass. Change
the tune.
a.89, “Joyful, Joyful” and 400, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
b.526, “What a Friend” and “Scarlet Ribbons”
c.368, “My Hope Is Built” and NAVY HYMN/MELITA (2191)
d.95, Doxology and 211, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” for Advent
d. 3001, “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” AZMON’S GHOST (Mark Miller)
But Be Careful:
f.286, “O Sacred Head” and 514, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”
g.57, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “Oklahoma”
4.Sing without accompaniment – voices only, concentrate on the words
a.393, “Spirit of the Living God”
5.Sing with movement – sway, clap hands, tap feet, walk about and greet.
a. 84, “Thank You, Lord”
6.Sing with rhythm – put a strong beat in the keyboard and percussion.
a.2151, “I’m So Glad”
b.618, “Let Us Break Bread Together” – strong rhythm in slow tempo
c.369, “Blessed Assurance” – subdivide the rhythm
7.Sing expressively – let the text mood guide tempo and volume.
a.322, “Up from the Grave He Arose”
b.275, “The Kingdom of God”
c.2133, “Give Me a Clean Heart”
8.Sing silently – read a stanza, with or without accompaniment.
9.Sing responsively – use call and response with song leader; make singing interactive and conversational.
a.657, “This Is the Day”
b.2033, “Glory to God”
c.responsively: 657, “This Is the Day” or 2033, “Glory to God”
d.antiphonally: 211, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
e.canonically: 207, “Prepare the Way of the Lord”
10.Sing with all ages – welcome and value all ages by singing their special songs
11.Sing outside of Sunday worship – bring music to Sunday School, youth gatherings, church meetings, weddings, funerals, staff training, charge conference, picnics.
12.Sing the style – sing a song’s intended style with integrity; contemporary gospel should not sound like a Bach chorale, nor Taizé chants like praise choruses.
a.2270, “I Will Enter His Gates” and 2031, “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”
b.382, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” and 2152, “Change My Heart, O God”
c.367, “He Touched Me”
d.2048, “God Weeps” - lament
e.620, “One Bread, One Body”
f.464, “I Will Trust in the Lord”
g.328, “Surely the Presence of the Lord”
h.2149, “Living for Jesus”
i.123, “El Shaddai”
j.275, “The Kingdom of God”
k.291, “He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word”
CONCLUSION: MAKING WORSHIP COME ALIVE THROUGH MUSIC
The African proverb says that the Spirit will not descend without song. Whenever and wherever the people of Africana gathered, whether in bondage or in freedom, at work or play, alone or together, there was singing. Their songs told of exile, slavery, torture, sorrow, and death. But they also kept alive the message of liberation, justice, hope, love, and life. The same is true today, especially in Africana worship. Singing is to worship as breathing is to life. It sustains and supports it. It may even define it. I think the white church can learn this lesson from the black church.
- As we worship, music can help to bring life to our liturgy.
- We can use music in our prayers to express those thoughts and words that would remain unexpressed if they had to be spoken.
- Music can strengthen the delivery of the spoken word and facilitate its hearing and understanding.
- In worship, liturgy, prayer, and sacrament, music unites us so that the Spirit will descend.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
HYMNS AND SONGS USED IN THIS PRESENTATION
728Come Sunday
WebThe day of resurrection dawns (Gareth Hill)
363And can it be
89Joyful, joyful
400Come, thou fount
368My hope is built
2191MELITA
526What a friend
---SCARLET RIBBONS
57O, for a thousand tongues (Mark Miller tune)
286O sacred head now wounded
514Stand up, stand up for Jesus
95Doxology
211O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
57O, for a thousand tongues
---OKLAHOMA
2083My song is love unknown
2156Give peace
2060God the sculptor of the mountain
2151I’m so glad
618Let us break bread together
620One bread, one body
369Blessed assurance
322Up from the grave he arose
275The kingdom of God
2133Give me a clean heart
2134Forgive us, Lord
2107Wade in the water
2048God weeps
2270I will enter his gates
2031We bring the sacrifice of praise
2149Living for Jesus
367He touched me
382Have thine own way, Lord
2152Change my heart, O God
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